How to Start a Gardening Business in UAE

How to Start a Gardening Business in UAE

While the UAE has modern design and a desert landscape, the demand for built environments with greenery, landscaping, and gardening services is growing rapidly. From a luxury villa site in Dubai to a commercial building in Abu Dhabi, potential gardening customers continue to increase. If you are a plant lover looking for an enterprising opportunity, a gardening business in the UAE could be a profitable option.

With cities in the UAE continuing to expand, there’s an increased focus on sustainable practices by both the government and private sector while looking ahead to how the sustainability goals can be achieved. Both the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and major funders now want to see positive sustainability outcomes. With growing interest in sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, this is the right time to enter the gardening and landscaping industry.

This blog outlines the main steps to setting up a gardening company in the UAE and the legal requirements, costs, and other essential information.

Why Start a Gardening Business in the UAE?

The UAE has a mix of climate, prevalent sunshine, and a large customer base that is naturally drawn to luxury and beauty. All these factors create great possibilities for gardening and landscaping businesses, and here is why:

1. The government supports sustainable and environmental practices, which create more opportunities for landscaping contracts.
2. A range of clientele, from villa owners to malls and hotels and the government, offers high growth potential.
3. The ability to start with basic gardening tools and grow as you go makes the market entry very low.

If you are interested in residential lawn care or high-end commercial landscape service, the UAE market has possibilities for small start-ups and larger providers. 

What Services Can a Gardening Business Provide?

Before you start with licensing and registering, you must determine what services your business will provide. The gardening industry in the UAE is wide, so you will need to pinpoint where you'd like to focus, as this will, on one hand, direct the ease of setup and, on the other hand, establish who your customers will be. Important services include:

1. Garden Design and Landscaping: You can consult on planning layouts, selecting plants, and constructing outdoor green spaces for businesses.
2. Lawn Installation and Maintenance: you can install, cut grass, water, etc.
3. Irrigation Systems: Provide services to install and maintain automated systems.
4. Indoor Plant Supply and Rental: Good for offices, malls, and events.
5. Vertical Gardens and Terrace Gardening: You help the apartments create urban settings.
6. Seasonal Plant Supply: You can provide cut flowering plants, trees, shrubs, and exotic plants for events or garden rejuvenation services.
7. Lighting & aesthetics: The installation of the LED, water features, and garden homes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Launch a Garden Business in the UAE

1. Choose the Correct Business Activity

Establishing your business begins by choosing the proper business activity from either the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the Free Zone authority. In this instance, the following activities apply to your gardening or landscaping business:

• Landscaping Works
• Gardening and Agricultural Services
• Irrigation Contracting
• Floriculture and Horticulture Services

Your business activity will determine your type of license and what kind of limitations your business will facewhile operating. Therefore, for you to make the correct decision based on your business, we strongly recommend getting advice from a business setup expert, like Flyingcolour Business Setup.

2. Choose Between Mainland or Free Zone Setup

Now you need to consider where to set up your business—Mainland or Free Zone:

1. Mainland Business License: Allows you to operate anywhere in the UAE, including government projects and jobs in private residential settings. Great for a full-service gardening business.
2. Free Zone License: offers advantages like 100% foreign ownership, tax breaks, and low start-up costs, but cannot service the Mainland directly unless they hire a local distributor.

A Mainland setup is preferred for most gardening businesses, especially if targeting villa communities, resorts, and hotels.

3. Registering Your Company and Obtaining a Trade License

When you have chosen your jurisdiction and activity, the other registration process includes:

1. A trade name reservation - You have to choose a business name that is unique and compliant with UAE regulations.
2. Initial Approvals - You have to show your business plan and receive initial approval from the DED or Free Zone.
3. Rental of office space - You should have a legal business address or warehouse. The size of the space depends on how you want to operate.
4. Issuance of Your Trade License - When you have paid all your fees and all relevant documents have been approved, you will receive your license, and the registration process will be complete.

4. Get Additional Approvals (If Required)

The additional approvals you need depend on the services you provide; you may need:

1. Municipality approvals for large-scale projects. 
2. If you are utilizing any fertilizers or products containing pesticides, you will need an environmental compliance certificate. 
3. Municipality Health and Safety approvals for staff who will be using chemicals and equipment. 
4. It is in your best interest to adhere to the environmental and regulatory regulations imposed by the UAE, and fulfill your stewardship responsibility to protect your reputation and avoid penalties.

5. Set Up Infrastructure and Purchase Materials

If you want to launch a professional and successful operation related to gardening! Then you must address:

• You must obtain storage or warehouse space to store tools, plants, soil products, and machinery.
• You must purchase your equipment and materials, including commercial equipment like lawnmowers, trimmers, hoses, wheelbarrows, etc.
• A commercial vehicle, like a van or pickup truck, for deliveries and materials onsite. 
• You will need uniforms, gloves, safety boots, and other protective gear.

If you are on a limited budget, you have a multitude of considerations for what and how you purchase your basic gardening equipment.

6. Hire Competent Staff

Gardening companies are labor-intensive, and you will need to hire:

• Qualified gardeners and horticulturists
• Qualified irrigation specialists to install and maintain watering systems
• Qualified landscape designers for high-end clientele
• Drivers and helpers for logistics

Estimated Cost of Starting a Gardening Business in UAE

Total Estimate: AED 25,000–60,000*

Flyingcolour Business Setup provides affordable and flexible business setup packages to fit your budget and requirements.

Why Consult Flyingcolour Business Setup To Start a Gardening Business in the UAE?

For over 20 years, Flyingcolour Business Setup has been assisting entrepreneurs in setting up their businesses in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, be it local or foreign ownership. We provide the following services:

• Business setup solutions, from start to finish
• Business license registration, quickly and hassle-free
• Visa & PRO services
• Local sponsorship (if needed)
• Post-licensing company operation procedures for banking, VAT, and compliance

If you are a foreign investor or a UAE resident, Flyingcolour® will ensure that your gardening business is set up legally, quickly, and easily.

In Conclusion

Starting a gardening business in the UAE is a good business opportunity because sustainability and urban greening have become national priorities. The demand is increasing, and the startup cost is relatively low, and these features make this a great sector to launch a business. Flyingcolour Business Setup can provide you with guidance on the registration process and your green dream, and create a thriving business in the UAE.

FAQs – Starting A Gardening Business In The UAE

1. What are the important licenses for a gardening business in the UAE?

The UAE requires you to get a trade license from the DED or a Free Zone authority in order to operate legally.

2. Can a foreigner own a gardening business 100% in the UAE?

Yes, foreigners can 100% own their business with a mainland license for most activities, including gardening and landscaping. They can also 100% own their business as a Free Zone business.

3. How much time do I need to register a gardening business?

If the documents are all in order, then around 5 to 10 working days. If you move forward with Flyingcolour Business Setup, it may be shorter.

4. Is the staff important to start a gardening business? 

Gardening is physical work, and some tasks need specialization, like irrigation or knowledge of to care for certain plants. You will need to sponsor employees and also abide by UAE labor laws.

Therefore, to learn more about how to start a Gardening Business in the UAE, Book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour Business Setup team advisors.

The article was published on 16/07/2025. It is important to note that the federal policies and updates mentioned may have changed since then. For the most current information, please contact our consultant!